Photo: Getty Images / AFP

R.I.P. Meat Loaf, A Performer Who Contained Multitudes

Musician and actor Meat Loaf passed away in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday, 20th January. He was 74 years old. The cause of death has not been publicly announced, but reports suggest Meat Loaf had been struggling with COVID-19 in the days leading up to his death.

Meat Loaf – whose legal name was Michael Lee Aday – is best known for his debut album, Bat Out of Hell, from 1977 and its sequel, Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell, from 1993. The former included the singles ‘You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)’, ‘Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad’ and the three-part mini-epic ‘Paradise by the Dashboard Light’.

Meat Loaf’s most commercially successful single was Back Into Hell’s ‘I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)’which topped both the US and Australian singles charts in 1993.

Meat Loaf was also known for his appearances in a variety of blockbuster films. He played Eddie in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Dennis, the Spice Girls’ bus driver, in Spice World (1997) and Bob Paulson in David Fincher’s Fight Club (1999).

Meat Loaf’s agent Michael Greene released a statement confirming his death.

Our hearts are broken to announce the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight surrounded by his wife Deborah, daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends.

His amazing career spanned 6 decades that saw him sell over 100 Million albums worldwide and star in over 65 movies, including “Fight Club”, “Focus”, “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Wayne’s World.”

“Bat Out of Hell” remains one of the top 10 selling albums of all time.

We know how much he meant to so many of you and we truly appreciate all of the love and support as we move through this time of grief in losing such an inspiring artist and beautiful man.

We thank you for your understanding of our need for privacy at this time.

From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!

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